High Disk Usage

Hi all, I'm struggling with finding things to fix my high disk usage. I've spent many months searching the internet and doing all the listed suggestions like disabling SuperFetch, Windows Defender, Updating drivers, ect. and still I'm stuck with a high disk usage. Here's a screen shot I took immediately following a restart and opening up to a new Firefox window.



I have noticed Service Host: Local System takes up quite a bit of disk usage and that if I close it and let it open back up all by itself then it immediately makes my disk usage drop into a much more manageable 40-60% usage range. But eventually after a while it maxes out again and I have to close it out again. It's an annoying step just to be able to use my computer.

Also, I have noticed that after working with my mom's computer today, that her disk usage when no programs are running is only like 5%. Makes me wonder why my computer can have no programs running but my disk usage never drops below 30% and sits in the 40-60% range with spikes up over 75%.

I honestly don't know enough about computers to do much more than I already have without causing major issues. BTW, just a couple weeks ago I had to do a Windows reinstall, not a complete reinstall, just the basic reinstall they allow you to do on Windows 10 where you still keep all your personal files. Ever since that a lot of times when I try to open a process like Run or Task Manager I'll get an error message that it can't open and then I do it again and it will open the second time.

Here's a screenshot of my computer information so you can see what I'm working with here.

Hi there. Did you do this?

Refresh Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

Or this?

Fresh Start Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

Either way obviously it didn't install correctly or you may have a virus. Assuming you're running Defender, when was the last time it scanned?

HippsieGypsie said:

Hi there. Did you do this?

Refresh Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

Or this?

Fresh Start Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

Either way obviously it didn't install correctly or you may have a virus. Assuming you're running Defender, when was the last time it scanned?

Yes, I did the windows refresh where I kept my files but reinstalled the windows files and I'm having this issue. I will look into the fresh start thing which I did not know about.

I don't have a virus, at least I don't think so. I ran scans with MalwareBytes and iobit's Malware defenders.

Thanks for the response.

AUTiger1 said:

Yes, I did the windows refresh where I kept my files but reinstalled the windows files and I'm having this issue. I will look into the fresh start thing which I did not know about.

I don't have a virus, at least I don't think so. I ran scans with MalwareBytes and iobit's Malware defenders.

Thanks for the response.

You're welcome. You may also consider a clean install. A PITA I know, but sometimes that's what it takes.

Clean Install Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

BTW, in case you didn't know; There will be many instances of Service Host that run.

The service host is the runtime environment for hosting a service within a process.

Service Host (Windows)

HippsieGypsie said:

You're welcome. You may also consider a clean install. A PITA I know, but sometimes that's what it takes.

Clean Install Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

BTW, in case you didn't know; There will be many instances of Service Host that run.



Service Host (Windows)

Yes, I learned all about the service host processes in my research. I just haven't been able to find a fix about why this particular one and the processes it contains causes my computer to bog down.

HippsieGypsie said:

You're welcome. You may also consider a clean install. A PITA I know, but sometimes that's what it takes.

Clean Install Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

BTW, in case you didn't know; There will be many instances of Service Host that run.



Service Host (Windows)

I decided to go ahead and do a fresh start of windows. I'll report back when done to let you know how it goes. Thanks.

Ok. Thanks back at'cha.

HippsieGypsie said:

Ok. Thanks back at'cha.

Thanks for all your help. I did the fresh start and then did the windows 10 ceators update, and while it took a really, really, really long time to get both of those things done, I'm finally done. After going through and disabling the things like Windows Update, Search and Superfetch my disk now sits at 0% when I'm not doing anything.

AUTiger1 said:

Thanks for all your help. I did the fresh start and then did the windows 10 ceators update, and while it took a really, really, really long time to get both of those things done, I'm finally done. After going through and disabling the things like Windows Update, Search and Superfetch my disk now sits at 0% when I'm not doing anything.

Thanks for posting your results! I bet it was a long process (no pun intended). Glad it all worked our for you. :)

Keep an eye on any software you install that may cause this problem. I would recommend turning on System Protection and create restore points before those installs.

Turn On or Off System Protection for Drives in Windows 10 Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials